If you’re looking to add colour to your surroundings, rejuvenate a dull area in your home or make gifts for friends and family, mosaic tiles are a great tool to achieve just this and much more.
A mosaic table with a vibrant design and bold colours will add life to any décor.
These small tiles brighten up plain surfaces and add a fun and playful ambience to anything from walls, floors, tables to photo frames and other decorative elements.
From a DIY perspective, always start with a small project that won’t cost you too much. To begin with, use what you already have at home like an old table or wooden frame.
Tile Africa shares a step-by-step guide to crafting your own mosaic items…
Create your own mosaic table
A mosaic table with a vibrant design and bold colours will add life to any décor.
First, you’ll need to find the right sized table to mosaic, and an old table that you won’t mind covering up.
If you don’t have an old table, you can buy one from a second hand shop or at an outlet that sells untreated pressed wood furniture.
Decorate anything from photo frames,flowers pots, mirrors and other decorative elements.
Step 1
Plan your mosaic design. It can be anything from geometric shapes or organic shapes like fruit and fish.
Step 2
Select your materials and lay out your pieces on a piece of cardboard, which is the same size and shape as your table. Work from the middle outwards and make sure your pieces don’t touch each other to allow space for grouting.
Step 3
Place the cardboard with the mosaics laid out on the table to get an idea of how your finished project will look. If you’re not happy with the design you can still move things around.
Step 4
Once you are happy with your design, remove the cardboard from the table and clean the actual table surface before you start working.
Step 5
Spread adhesive over the table and transfer all the pieces from the cardboard to the table top in your chosen pattern.
The bathroom offers various areas to incorporate mosaics, from a colourful column behind the bath and toilet to a shimmering wall behind the bathroom sink.
Step 6
After 24 to 48 hours you’ll be able to grout your mosaic.
Make a mosaic picture frame
Complement a beautiful family photo with a mosaic feature. Here’s how…
Step 1
Find yourself a frame, either an old one or one from an art and crafts shop. A wide flat frame is recommended to allow more room for your design.
Step 2
Once you have picked your frame, remove the glass to avoid damage while working.
Step 3
Always lay out your tiles on the frame or a piece of cardboard that is the same size and shape before gluing them on. Once you are happy with your design, transfer it onto your frame by gluing each piece on with clear craft glue.
Step 4
Once the glue is dry (after 24 hours) you can grout your mosaic. Apply grout with a dry sponge or a plastic knife and wipe the tiled surface clean with a damp sponge and let it dry for at least 24 hours.
Step 5
Once the mosaic frame is completely dry, replace the glass and hang it up on the wall or on a shelf with a portrait of your choice.
Décor tip
Mosaic tiles are also great to use on other surfaces around the home. They make for an eye-catching splash back in the kitchen when placed behind the sink and stove.
The bathroom also offers various areas to incorporate mosaics, from a colourful column behind the bath and toilet to a textured floor surface in the shower.
The entrance area of your home is the perfect place to have a striking mosaic pattern on the floor, either on the threshold before you enter the house, or inside the entrance hall. This will give your guests a gleaming welcome.
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